Some quotes from Stevens trial

[October 28, 2008]  (AP)  Some reactions to the Monday conviction of Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens for lying about $250,000 in home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor:

"I am obviously disappointed in the verdict but not surprised given the repeated instances of prosecutorial misconduct in this case. ... I will fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have. I am innocent. This verdict is the result of the unconscionable manner in which the Justice Department lawyers conducted this trial. I ask that Alaskans and my Senate colleagues stand with me as I pursue my rights. I remain a candidate for the United States Senate." -- Stevens

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"This is a sad day for Alaska and for Sen. Stevens and his family. The verdict shines a light on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company that was allowed to control too much of our state. ... As governor of the state of Alaska, I will carefully monitor this situation and take any appropriate action as needed. In the meantime, I ask the people of Alaska to join me in respecting the workings of our judicial system. I'm confident Sen. Stevens will do what's right for the people of Alaska." -- Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska

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"This past year has been a difficult time for Alaskans, but our people are strong and resilient and I believe that we will be able to move forward together to address the critical challenges that face Alaska." -- Mark Begich, Democratic challenger for Stevens' Senate seat

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"This is a sad but serious day. Sen. Stevens was found guilty by a jury of his peers, and now must face the consequences of those actions. As a result of his conviction, Sen. Stevens will be held accountable so the public trust can be restored." -- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

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"This verdict is a personal tragedy for our colleague Ted Stevens, but it is an important reminder that no man is above the law. Senator Stevens must now respect the outcome of the judicial process and the dignity of the United States Senate." -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

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"I'm deeply disappointed. It surprises me. I don't think he had a jury of his peers. That's the way it goes. I'm sure there will be an appeal. If you watched the conduct of the court with the one juror leaving and going out and, of course, the actions of the prosecutors themselves, there definitely will be an appeal, and it will go for a long period of time." -- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska

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"Given today's verdict, it's a sad day indeed for Sen. Stevens and his family as well as for Alaska. Ted Stevens is an honorable, hardworking Alaskan who has served our state well for as long as we have been a state....Ted has asked for Alaskans and his Senate colleagues to stand with him as he pursues his legal rights. He stood with Alaskans for 40 years, and I plan to continue to stand with him." -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska

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"Senator Stevens' felony convictions are very serious and he should immediately resign from the United States Senate. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but he did it anyway and lied to Alaskans about it. Alaskans deserve better from their public officials. It's time for us to elect an ethical and honest senator who will move this state forward." -- Patti Higgins, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party

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"We need to continue to support Sen. Stevens. We need to vote for him because a vote for him is a vote for a conservative candidate, a Republican who best represents the interests and beliefs of Alaskans. ... We don't know what happens in the future. But if you don't want Mark Begich, you vote for Ted Stevens." -- McHugh Pierre, spokesman for the Alaska Republican Party

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"The congressional spending process has become rife with examples of politicians skirting the spending rules, skirting the ethics rules and stepping over the line. Sen. Stevens abused his position of power as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee for years to bilk the taxpayers in order to aggrandize himself and his cronies. He did so with impunity and arrogance, until today." -- Tom Schatz, president of watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste

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"During his tenure Sen. Stevens showed a legendary ability to bring home the bacon for Alaska -- $3.5 billion worth in the last five years alone. But what seemed to trip him up was not disclosing gifts he was receiving." -- Stephen Ellis, vice president of watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense

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"Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was just found guilty of lying about gifts he received totaling over a quarter million dollars. Alaskans deserve better than a convicted criminal for a senator. Democrat Mark Begich is a great progressive candidate -- and you can give him the last minute boost he needs to send Stevens packing for good." -- Jim Dean, chair of Democracy for America political action committee

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"No public servant, including a senator, is above the law. Taking gifts from special interest groups is wrong." -- Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb.

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"This is a sad day for the United States Senate. Ted Stevens served his constituents for over 40 years and I am disappointed to see his career end in disgrace. Sen. Stevens had his day in court and the jury found he violated the public's trust -- as a result he is properly being held accountable. This is a reminder that no one is above the law." -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

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"It's very possible that he's going to win the election. ... A lot of people feel the senator is completely innocent, and that there are people who have been doing favors for him without him being aware of it. The senator is very popular in Alaska as you know." -- Carl Shepro, political science professor at the University of Alaska in Anchorage

[Associated Press]

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